Councilmember Bruce Harrell’s statement on OPA Director’s decision to not seek a third term

Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell

Councilmember Bruce Harrell’s statement on OPA Director’s decision to not seek a third term

SEATTLE – Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, released the following statement regarding today’s decision by the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) Director Kathryn Olson to not seek a third term:

"I thank Kathryn for her five years of dedicated service and the positive strides she helped make in police accountability and transparency.

"The Public Safety Committee was in the middle of the confirmation process and conducting significant outreach with community members, civil rights organizations, law organizations and the police department to assist in the process of deciding whether or not to confirm the OPA Director. I did anticipate a thorough and intense process given the scrutiny that the police department has gone through. Irrespective of her decision, this is a time when the building of trust between the Police Department, the Office of Professional Accountability and the public is a priority.

"I urge the Mayor to immediately begin the process of identifying the next OPA Director through a national search and to allow for a thorough public review and Council consideration before March 2013."